Resilient wheel-hub.



H. L. MoDUPFEB. RESILIENT WHEEL HUB. I APPLICATION FILED 33.10, 1910.

'- Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

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R-ESILIENT WHEEL-HUB.

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Application filed February 1 T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY L. hloDUrrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gilroy, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Resilient \Vheel- Hubs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to resilient wheel hubs, and its object is to provide a device 0 this character so, constructed as to avoid the breaking of the springs upon which its resiliency depends, also to provide means for turning the hub with the axle and conversely, which will not affect its resiliency, also one which will be dust proof and attractive in appearance, also one in which the parts which carry the springs are securely attached to the hub and in effect from one frame therewith independent of the springs.

in the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side view, partly broken away, of the wheel; Fig. 2 is an axial section on the line Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates an axle having boxes 2, each box being formed with a circular disk 3 at its inner end, secured to each other by bolts st, having-on the inside of the disks nuts 5, and on the outside nuts 6, and extending beyond said nuts 6 to connect the outer shells 7 hereinafter described. By means of' said bolts and nuts, of which there are here shown four in number, although there may be any desired number. said disks are rigidly secured together, and at the same time spaced from one another.

Each disk is formed with two concentric rings of holes 8, registering with, or opposite to, each other and in said holes are contained the ends of spring rods 9, of a length equal to a distance from each other of the outer sides of the disks. 10 indicates the hub proper which consists of two plates 11 transverse to the axle and connected by a ring 12 at a suitable distance from the axle, and at a depth below the edges of the plates to receive the ends of the spokes 13, said plates and ring being all cast in a single iece. The spokes are received between said plates, and abut against said ring in a manner similar to that now in use. Through said plates are formed holes 14 opposite to, or in the holes 8 Specification of Letters Patent.

in the disks 3, and 1 bolts Fatented Jan. 19, 1911.

0, 1910. Serial No. 543,083.

the springs, the ends of which are contained by said links 3, pass through said holes 11:.

The construction of the hub with two plates which bear upon the spring rods at points spaced apart from each other, is an important feature of my invention. Here tofore, when such spring rods have been used, and the hub rested directly on said rods, it so rested on one point only of each rod, at approximately the middle point thereof. The disadvantage of this construction was that the amplitude of oscillation of the hub, and therefore of the part of the vehicle supported thereby, was the same. as thatof the spring rod which momentarily supported the hub, and was therefore too great. For it is necessary that these spring rods should have considerable amplitude of oscillation, in other words, be q1iicl-:-acting springs. By supporting the hub at two points on each spring rod, as shown in the drawing, the extent of vibration is reduced about one-half without diminishing responsiveness of the springs to variations of load. The device is therefore better adapted for the purpose intended, namely, as a shock absorber, than is the prior construction. A further disadvantage of the former construction is that, by continual bending owing to force applied at the middle point, the springs soon become crystallized and break. \Yith my improved construction this result. is avoided.

Said plates are likewise formed with large holes 15 through which the bolts pass, sait holes being of sutlicient size that said plates can freely reciprocate on said spring rods without coming i to contact with said bolts. It is also formed with a central hole 16 for the axle which is also much larger than the axle, for the same reason. Thus the springs can take up the shock upon the spokes and transmit the pressure to the axle without jarring, since the hub proper does not come in contact with any part butthe springs.

Upon the boxes are secured the shells 7, each having a reduced portion 17, and having a central square hole to fit the square box, having also a cylindrical portion 18 of enlarged diameter to fit closely around the edge of the disk, and of sufficient width to contact with the corresponding plate 11 of the hub proper. Each shell is formed with holes 19 corresponding in position with the 1, and the ends of said bolts pass tside thereof firmly securlng the shell in position in contact with the plate 11 of the hub proper. Next to said plate the shell has a rim or flange 21 which fits snu l 1 against the plate. It is important that these rims should fit snugly against the hub, and yet not so tightly as to bind thereupon. By and outer nuts 5, 6, and also the nuts accurately adjusted, and the shells can be screwed up closely against the disks. Said flange is formed with a radially elongated recess 22, into which enters a stud 23 extending out ward from the plate. The function of this stud is to maintain the hub proper and axle in position against any movement of one with reference to the other. his is an important feature of my invention, as otherwise it would be necessary to rely upon the springs to perform this function. But if the springs are made strong enough to maintain the axle and wheel in proper relative position, they do not have sufiicient resiliency; and if they are given sufficient resiliency, they-will break from the strain thus imposed upon them. In my invention, I use the springs simply for the purpose of absorbing the shock or ar on the wheel, and not for the purpose of maintaining the wheel and axle in proper relative position, for this purpose employing the device just above described. The slot is elongated in order that, while maintaining the wheel and axle in their proper relative angular positions, they may move radially with reference to one another. as permitted by the resiliency of the springs.

of the shell, so as to fit against its outer face. aid ring 1s formed wlth recesses 25 corresponding 111 number and position to the the relative angular l bolts, and the nuts are so turned that when said ring is placed upon the shell, the nuts fit snugly in said recesses. Therefore if said ring is retained upon the shell, the nuts 20 cannot turn upon the bolts.

In order to retain the ring in position, the reduced portion of the shell is threaded, and upon said threaded portion is screwed a cap 27 having the outer edge at the inner end beveled, as shown at 28, so that when said cap is screwed 011 the reduced portion of the shell, it enters between the rounded inner edge of the ring and said threaded portion, and is pressed firmly inward and thereby locks the ring in position.

To the hub may be attached a friction drum 31 having a gear 32 thereon for propelling the wheel.

claim their ends in recesses in having two parallel plates spaced from each other, and

from the disks, each having holes through which the spring rods pass, wherey said hub is supported on said rods at two points spaced apart on each, bolts, threaded at each end, and passing through said disks, inner and outer nuts screwed on each end of the surface of the disk which they pass, disks and having flanges outer sides of the hub, said ts passing through said shells, secured upon the ends of the bolts, and pins secured to, and extending outward from the hub, said shell. having radial recesses to receive said pins.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY L. MGDUFFEE. lVitnesses F RANCIS M. IVRIGHT, D RICHARDS. 

